S&P 500 ends at five-month highs on industrial gains

US stock indices closed the last session of the week higher after S&P 500 touched five-month highs on the back of gains in the industrial sector, which overcame losses in finance, as banking earnings results disappoint investors. 

US Data 

Otherwise, earlier US data showed import prices fell 0.4%, compared to a 0.9% rise in May, while analysts expected a 0.1% rise. 

The University of Michigan released the preliminary reading for its consumer sentiment survey, showing a dip to 97.1 in July from 98.2 in June, missing forecasts of 98.1. 

Finally, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and to the House Committee on Financial Services earlier today, while presenting the Fed Monetary Policy Report.

Indices, Commodities 

Dow Jones rose 0.38%, or 94.52 points to 25,019.41, while Standard and Poor's 500 closed up 0.11%, or 3.02 points to 2,801.31. NASDAQ Composite barely added 0.03%, or 2.06 points to 7,825.98. 

Gold futures due on August 15 slipped 0.43% to $1,241.30 an ounce from the opening of $1,246.60, marking July 30, 2017 lows, while the dollar index slipped 0.14% to 94.70 from the opening of 94.83, moving off June 29 highs. 

US crude futures due on August 15 rose 0.40% to $70.61 a barrel from the opening of $70.61, while Brent futures due on September 15 climbed 0.58% to $74.88 a barrel from the opening of $74.45.